- I also advocate for timely extensions of deadlines in times of a pandemic or any other circumstance which would impact on the enjoyment of intellectual property rights. In respect to litigious matters such as complaints to the registrar in instances of infringement, contested trademarks, the IP office should create an online office and also deliver rulings online to avoid delays and subsequently impacting competition. It’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the world order and in particular the intellectual property world, however, as a country we need to figure out a way to ensure continuity of service delivery in these circumstances to avoid stalling business and exposing owners of the various intellectual property rights to infringement and missing deadlines as spelt out by statute. Millions of people toil in the shadow of the law we make, and much of their livelihood is made possible by the existence of intellectual property rights. Therefore, in circumstances like these, we need to craft a way to ensure continuity of the enforcement, registration and utilization of IP rights in our country.
